Material handling apparatus



Sept. 8, 1942. J. F JOY MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS --0riginal Filed Jan. 3. 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 8, 1942. J. F. JOY 2,294,911

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MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Sept. 8, 1942.

Original Filed Jan. 5; 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 'AII'IIIIIIII I!!! 5 cfmsepizfidbg.

Se t. 8', 1,942- JOY 2,294,911

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS I Original Filed Jar 1. 3, 1938 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 8, 1942 OFFICE MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Joseph F. Joy, Franklin, Pa., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Continuation of application Serial No. 183,008

January 3, 1938.

7 Claims.

This invention relates to material handling apparatus and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an improved apparatus for handling loose material in mines.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved material handling apparatus. Another object is to provide an improved material handling apparatus of the drag line, scraper type, embodying a loading scraper operated by the drag lines of a haulage mechanism. A further object is to provide an improved material handling apparatus wherein the haulage mechanism for operating the loading scraper is embodied in a coal mining machine. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining machine having embodied therein improved haulage means whereby the mining machine serves both to cut the coal and to move the loading scraper of the material handling apparatus. Still another object is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, floor cutter type, adapted to rest upon and slide over the floor during the cutting operation and having feeding means of the haulage drum type and embodying improved haulage means, separate and distinct from the feeding means of the machine, for operating the loading scraper of the material handling apparatus. A still further object is to provide an improved haulage means for the loading scraper wherein the haulage drums are driven through a portion of the cutter driving gearing of the coal mining machine, the haulage drums being driven at a relatively higher cable winding speed than the rate of rotation of the feed operating and controlling drums of the machine feeding means, and wholly independently thereof. Other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a coal mining machine having embodied therein an illustrative form of the improved haulage means of the material handling apparatus.

This application June 20, 1940, Serial No. 341,582

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mining the forward portion of the mining machine shown in Fig. 1, parts being shown in section to illustrate structural details.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical .sectional View taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on line l! of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the coal mining machine in operative cutting position in a mine room.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the operating arrangement of the improved material handling apparatus.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing the operating arrangement of the improved material handling apparatus with respect to the coal face.

In this illustrative construction, the improved material handling apparatus generally comprises a loading scraper I, operated by the drag line cables of a haulage mechanism, generally designated 2, the haulage mechanism being embodied in a coal mining machine generally designated 3. The coal mining machine is herein of the flexibly fed, floor cutter type, and is of the same general character as that disclosed in Patent No. 2,131,178, patented Sept. 27, 1938, in which I am a co-inventor, although it will be evident that the improved haulage means may be incorporated in mining machines of various other types. The mining machine 3 comprises a machine frame 4, adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over a mine floor, the machine frame being composed of a plurality of frame sections united together to form a compact, rigid unit. The frame sections comprise a motor frame section 5, a front cutter frame section 6, and a rear feed frame section 1. Supported on and projecting forwardly from the cutter frame section 6, is an elongated, horizontal, plane cutter bar 8, having mounted on its margin for circulation thereabout, an endless cutter chain 9. The cutter bar is supported by a hanger frame HI rigidly secured, as by bolts l I, to a flange l2 integral with the cutter frame. Arranged in coaxial relation at the rear end of the machine on the opposite sides of the feed frame section 1 are feed operating and controlling members I3 and I4, herein in the form of cable winding or haulage drums, respectively having wound thereupon feeding and controlling cables l5 and IS; The Opposite sides of the feed frame section are recessed at I! and the feeding and controlling drums l3 and [4 are respectively arranged within these recesses so that the lateral limits of the machine are maintained extremely compact. Arranged at the rear end of the feed frame section are horizontal guide sheaves I6, [9, 26 and 2|, while mounted on the advancing side of the machine frame on the cutter frame section 6 is a front guide sheave 22, and the feeding and controlling cables may be extended in various directions around these guide sheaves in the manner well understood by those skilled in the art, so that when the haulage drums are rotated to wind in the cables the machine may be fed and guided. As fully described in the patent above referred to, the motor frame section contains a motor 23, herein preferably of the reversible electric type, having its power shaft 24 horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, and the feeding and controlling drums l3 and M are adapted to be driven by the motor 23 in winding direction at a relatively low feeding speed and a relatively high machine moving speed.

Now referring to the driving means for the cutter chain 9, it will be noted that keyed to the forward end of the motor shaft 24 is a bevel gear 25 meshing with a bevel gear 26 integrally formed with a vertical shaft 21. The shaft 21 is journaled at its upper end within a ball bearing supported within the cutter frame and at its lower end within a ball bearing seated within the recessed lower face of the bevel gear 26, and supported on astub shaft 28 fixed within the cutter frame. Keyed to the shaft 21 is a spur gear 23, meshing with a large spur gear 39, and the hub 3| of the gear 30 is journaled on ball bearings supported by a vertical shaft 32. The shaft 32 is journaled at its upper end within a ball bearing supported within the upper portion of the cutter frame, and near its lower end within a roller bearing supported 'witnin a cylindrical bearing support 33 formed integral withthe lower portion of the cutter frame. As shown in Fig. 3, the cutter bar hanger It has a cylindrical portion 34 surrounding and supported on the cylindrical bearing support 33. Keyed to the lower end of the shaft 32 is a chain sprocket 35 arranged in a transverse chamber 36 extending across the lower portion of the cutter frame, and engaging and driving the endless cutter chain 9. Formed on the hub 3| of the gear 39 are clutch teeth 31 connectible by a sliding clutch 36 to clutch teeth 39 formed on a clutch member 46 keyed to the shaft 32. The clutch member 38 is provided with operating means, as fully described in the patent mentioned above. It will thus be seen that when the cutter chain clutch 38 is connected to the clutch teeth 31, the cutter chain 9 may be driven from the motor through the bevel gearing 25, 26, spur gearing 29, 30, shaft 32 and chain sprocket 35.

Now referring to the improved material handling apparatus, and more particularly to the improved haulage means 2, it will be noted that mounted on the top of the cutter frame is a pair of relatively rotatable cable winding or haulage drums 45 and 46, herein arranged on parallel vertical axes, and having respectively wound thereupon haulage cables 41 and 48. The haulage drums 45 and 46 are, in this instance, driven entirely independently of the feed operating and controlling drums I3 and M of the machine feeding means, and are preferably rotatable at a relatively higher cable winding speed than the rate of rotation of the drums l3 and I4. The drums 45 and 46, in this illustrative construction, are driven through a portion of the driving gearing for the cutter chain of the mining machine, and their driving means comprises a spur gear 49 keyed to the upper end of the shaft 21 (see Fig. 3) and adapted to mesh with large spur gears 50 and 5|. As shown in Fig. 4, the gears 50, 5| are journaled on bearings supported by vertical shafts 53 formed on frames 54, respectively. These frames are pivotally mounted at 55 on the top of the cutter frame 6, to swing horizontally about axes parallel to the axis of the vertical shaft 21 and the gear axes, so that when the frames are swung about their pivots the gears 50 and 5| may be brought into or out of mesh with the gear 49, thereby to effect or interrupt drum drive. The swinging frames 54 have integral lever arms 56 projecting rearwardly over the top of the motor frame section 5, and means engaging these lever arms is provided for swinging the frames about their respective pivots. The swinging means for each frame lever arm comprises. as shown most clearly in Fig. 8, a crank pin 51 received in a slot 58 in the lever arm and formed on a disk 59 integral with the vertical operating shaft 69 rotatably mounted in a bearingsleeve 6| supported within a bearing bracket 62 secured to the top of the motor frame section 5. Pivotally connected at 63 to the upper portion of the rotatable operating shaft 66 is an operating lever 64 whereby the operator may rotate the shaft. It will thus be seen that when the operating shafts 66 are rotated, the lever arms 56 are swung thereby, to swing therewith the frames 54 about their respective pivots, and as a result the gears 56, 5| may be moved, as desired, into or out of mesh with the driving gear 49, to effect or interrupt drive of the haulage drums 45 and 46. The swinging frames 54 have horizontal projections 65 guided in arcuate guides 66 secured to the top of the cutter frame 6 for guiding the swinging frames during their swinging movement. The haulage drums 45 and 46 are each journaled at their lower end within a bearing sleeve 61 supported by the gear hub 66, and at their upper end within a ball bearing 69 supported on a retaining cap 16 secured to the upper end of the shaft 53. The drums are connectible to the gear hubs 68 by multiple disk clutches 1|, so that when the clutches are applied the drums are connected directly to the gears '50 and 5| respectively, for driving by the latter. It willthus be evident when the clutches are applied the haulage drums 45 and 46 may be driven at a relatively high cablewinding speed by the motor 23 through'the bevel gears 25, 26, vertical shaft 21, and-spur gear 49 meshing with the spur gears 53 and 5| respectively connected to the drums. The haulage drums 45 and 46 may bedriven independently of the cutter chain 9 of the mining machine, by releasing the cutter chain drive clutch 38.

The operating means for the disk clutches 1| in this instance, comprise vertical cylinders 12 (see Fig. 4) formed in the shafts 53 respectively and containing reciprocable pistons 13. These pistons engage levers 14 connected to the pressure applying members 15 of the clutches. Acting .between the caps 10 and the upper'ends of 'thepistons 13 are coiled springs 16 for yieldingly urging the levers 14 toward their clutch releasingposition. The pistons 13 are hydraulically operated by hydraulic pistons 11 (see Fig. 5) contained: in cylinders 18 formed in acylinder block secured to the top of the motor frame section 5,- and the cylinders are connected by flexible conduits -19 and passages formed in the swinging frame 54 2,294,911- with the cylinders I2 at the lower sides of the'pistons 13. The pistons 17 have piston rods 8| connected to the opposite arms of a lever 82 pivoted at 83 to the top of the motor frame, and integral with this lever is an elongated operating lever 84 extending rearwardly over the top of the machine frame. The operating lever 84 has a grasping portion 85 conveniently located at the rear end of the machine. It will thus be seen that when the operating lever 84 is swung in one direction or the other, one of the pistons I1 may be moved forwardly within its cylinder to force a liquid under pressure through the conduit and passage to the lower end of one or the other of the cylinders I2 to move one of the pistons 13 upwardly to apply its clutch. Therefore the haulage drums may be alternately connected to their drive while the other drum is free to rotate. A notched locking plate 86 is secured to the top of the feed frame section I for locking the operating lever 84 in its difierent positions. From the foregoing it will be evident that the haulage drums 45 and 46 and their driving and controlling means are arranged in an extremely compact manner on the mining machine so they do not in any way interfere with the normal operation of the mining machine.

A detachable guide is provided for the haulage cables 41 and 48 for guiding one or the other thereof relative to the machine during operation of the loading scraper of the material handling apparatus, and this guide comprises a horizontal guide sheave 88, journaled on a bearing sleeve 89, supported by a stub shaft 90 integral with a pedestal-like bracket 9I This bracket is attachable to the outer portion of the cutter bar 8 of the mining machine, and has securing bolts 92 adjustably guided in slots 93 formed in the base of the bracket, and the bolts are formed with enlarged circular heads 94 insertible through openings 95 formed in the cutter bar 8. The open- :ings 95 have communicating slots 96, so that when the bolt heads are inserted through the openings .95 and the bolts are slid laterally within the slots 93, 96, the heads 94 move into a position overlying the slots 96, and upon tightening of the nuts 91 of the bolts the bracket is firmly clamped to the cutter bar. The sheave bracket may be readily detached from the cutter bar by releasing the bolt heads when it is desired to operate the machine to effect its normal cutting operation.

The loading scraper I of the material handling apparatus is of the conventional open end and bottom type, having connectors 98 and 99 to which the free ends of the cables 41, 48 are connectible so that when the haulage drums 45 and 46 are operated, the scraper may be dragged back and forth relative to the material to be loaded to effect its loading function. One of the drag line cables 41, 48 is adapted to be passed around the guide sheave 88 on the mining machine cutter bar while the other cable is adapted to be passed around a guide sheave I suitably anchored at the remote rib in adjacency to a conveyor IOI. This conveyor may be of any suitable form and is provided with a receiving slide or pan I02 over which the loading scraper is adapted to move into a position to discharge its load onto the conveyor.

The mode of operation of the improved material handling apparatus will be clearly apparent from the description given. The mining machine is operated in the usual manner to effect its sumping, transverse cutting, and withdrawal functions to cut a horizontal kerf across thecoal face. In Fig. 9, the mining machine is shown at the completion of its sumping cut and at the start of its transverse cut. The feed cable I5 of the machine feeding means is extended from its drum around the front guide sheave 22, and then laterally from the machine across the coal face to an anchor jack I03 located near the coal face at the left hand rib, and the controlling cable I6 is extended from its drum around the rear guide sheave 2|, laterally from-the machine to an anchor jack I04 located at the right hand rib. As the feeding and controlling drums-l3, I4 are driven, the feeding and controlling cables are operated to effect feeding movement of the machine. After the completion of the transverse cut beneath the coal at the face the machine is withdrawn from the face and the undercut coal is shot or blasted down in the usual manner. The material handling apparatus now comes into effect and the mining machine is placed in the position shown in Fig. 10 and suitably anchored in position, as by roof jacks or by connecting the feeding and controlling cables I5 and I6 to suitable anchor jacks. The sheave bracket 9I is then attached to the cutter bar 8 of the mining machine, and the drag line cable 48 is extended from its. drum 46 forwardly around the guide 83 and then laterally from the machine into connection at 99 with the scraper I. The drag line cable 41 is extended directly from its drum 45 laterally from the machine across the coal face and around the anchored sheave I00 located near the left hand rib in adjacency to the conveyor HM, and then laterally from the sheave I00 in the opposite direction into connection at 98 with the loading scraper. By operating the haulage drums 45, 46 the drag line cables 41, 48 may be operated to move the loading scraper I back and forth'across the coal face relative to the pile of loose shot coal at the face to move the loose coal onto the receiving slide I02 of the conveyor. As loading progresses the mining machine may be moved forwardly by the feeding and controlling cables toward the coal face to locate the guide sheave 88 nearer the face and coal pile. The mining machine and haulage means are of the reversible. type so that the mining machine may operate to cut from left to right and the haulage drums may operate the loading scraper in the opposite direction.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved handling apparatus is provided having improved operating means for the loading scraper. It will further be noted that by combining the haulage means with a mining machine, the mining machine serves both to cut the coal and to move the loading scraper of the material handling apparatus, thereby eliminating the necessity of a separate scraper haulage mechanism. Furthermore, by arranging the haulage means on the mining machine so that the haulage drums may be driven through portion of the cutter driving gearing of the machine cutting mechanism, the haulage drums may be driven at a relatively higher cable winding speed than the rate of rotation of the feed operating and controlling drums of the machine feeding means, and Wholly independently thereof. Other uses and advantages of the improved material handling apparatus will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This application is a continuation of my application Serial No. 183,008, filed Jan. 3, 1938.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may as-- some in practice, it will be understood that this formof the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a material handling apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having feeding and guiding means including relatively rotatable winding elements for feeding and guiding the machine with respect to the working face, of a material loading device movable bodily relative to the mining machine during the loading operation, and operating means for operating said loading device relative to-the material to ice loaded to effect its loading function while the mining machine remains stationary as regards bodily movement, said operating means being mbodied in the mining machine at a point in advance of said winding elements and driven through elements of said mining machine at a relatively high loading speed substantially higher than the machine feeding and guiding speed and independently of said machine feeding and guiding means.

2. Ina material handling apparatus, the combination with a coal cutting machine of the flexibly fed, floor cutter type having a body adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and and having relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members respectively adapted to cooperate directly with flexible Ifeeding and controlling means, of a loading scraper, and haulage means having drag line cables connectible to the loading scraper for moving the latter back and forth relative to the coal face to load the loose coal at the face While the coal cutting machine remains stationary as regards bodily movement, said haulage means being embodied in the coal cutting machine and ar-.- ranged adjacent the forward end of said body and driven through elements of th coal cutting machine independently of said feed operating and controlling members and at a relatively high scraper moving speed substantially higher than the maximum operating speed of said feed operating and controlling members.

3. In a material handling apparatus, in com- \bination, a material-moving device, a support having a projecting bar, means for moving said support over a mine floor and for guiding said support, and haulage means mounted on said support for actuating said material-moving device relative to the material to be moved, while said support remains stationary as regards bodily movement, said haulage means comprising a haulage drum mounted on the top of said support adjacent its forward end and having a haulage cable wound thereon and said haulage drum having driving means for driving the same at a relatively high material-moving speed substantially higher than said support moving and guidingspeed and independently of said support moving and guiding means, and a cable guide attachable to said bar for guiding said haulage cable with respect to said support.

4. In a material handling apparatus, in combination, a, material-moving device, a support movable over the, mine floor and having a projecting bar and relatively rotatable cable winding drums on said support for moving said support overthe mine floor and for guiding said support, and haulage means mounted on said support for actuating said material-moving device relativ to the material to be moved, while said support remains stationary as regards bodily movement, said haulage means being driven at a relatively high material-moving speed substantially higher than, said support-moving speed and independently of said support-moving andguiding drums, said haulage means including a haulage drum rotatable on an upright axis adjacent the forward end of said support and having a haulage cable wound thereon and a cable guide attachable to said bar for guiding said haulage .cable with respect to. said support.

5,. In a material handling apparatus, the combination with, amining machine having a motor and means for feeding, positioning and guiding the machine during its operation including drums operable by one end of the motor and further having cutting mechanism driven from the other end of the motor, of a loading scraper and haulage means having drag line cables for operating said scraper back and forth relative to the material to be loaded, while the mining machine remains stationary as regards bodily movement, said haulage means being embodied in the mining machine and including winding elements driven from the last mentioned end of said motor.

6. In a material handling apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having means for feeding and guiding the machine during its operation including a plurality of cable winding drums at the rear end of the machine, of a loading scraper, and haulage means having drag line. cables for operating said scraper back and forth relative to the material to be loaded, while the mining machine remains stationary as regards bodily movement, said haulage means being embodied in the mining machine and including relatively rotatable winding elements driven through elements of the mining machine at a relatively high scraper-operating speed and positioned at the forward end of the machine. 7

'7. In a material handling apparatus, the combination with a mining machine, having a motor .and cutting mechanism actuated by said motor and feeding means including feeding and guiding drums operatively connectible with said motor, of a loading scraper, and haulage means for said scraper for moving the same at relatively high scraper-operating speeds substantially higher than the operating speeds of said drums, said haulage means including a pair of winding drums arranged on the top of said machine and having driving connections operable by said motor for effecting independent rotation thereof at said relativelyhigh scraper-operating speeds.

JOSEPH F. JOY.

CERTIFICATE 'OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2.291;,911. September 8," 19LL2.

JOSEPH F. JOY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 9, for "manner" read --manners--; page 1;, first colmm, line 51, strike out "and" second occurrence; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of April, A. D. 1915.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

